Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai

President Robert Mugabe and longtime political rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai sat side by side at a state funeral that was seen as a symbolic step for their parties' month-old coalition. The funeral was for former defense forces commander and Mugabe loyalist Gen. Vitalis Zvinavashe. It was Tsvangirai's first formal attendance at a shrine for fallen guerrillas and political leaders. Mugabe had attended Tuesday's funeral service for Tsvangirai's wife, Susan, who died in a car crash south of Harare a week ago. Most of the nation's military commanders are ex-guerrillas of the independence war and have refused to salute Tsvangirai, a civilian and former labor leader who did not take part in that war. At the funeral, commanders saluted Zvinavashe's casket as Mugabe and Tsvangirai watched.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Zimbabweans lined up for hours to vote Wednesday in an election that international critics say has no hope of being free or fair. President Robert Mugabe, the country's only leader in its 33-year history since independence from Britain, dismissed fears the country could once again be headed for a disputed result. “I'm sure that people will vote freely and fairly. There's no pressure being exerted on anyone," the 89-year-old Mugabe told reporters after casting his vote.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's 4-year-old grandson has drowned less than a month after the Zimbabwean leader's wife was killed in a car crash, his spokesman said Sunday. Tsvangirai rushed home from Victoria Falls, on the border with Zambia, where he had been taking part in a planning conference for ministers in the unity government, spokesman James Maridadi said. The child, Shaun, drowned Saturday in the swimming pool at the prime minister's home, Maridadi said.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - Zimbabweans voted Wednesday in an election that international critics say has no hope of being free or fair. President Robert Mugabe, the country's only leader in its 33-year history since independence from Britain, dismissed the fear that the country could once again be headed for a disputed result. "I'm sure that people will vote freely and fairly. There's no pressure being exerted on anyone," the 89-year-old Mugabe told reporters after casting his vote.

Zimbabwe's new prime minister said President Robert Mugabe could not be held accountable for the political violence during his 28-year rule but that others might face prosecution in the future. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, spoke to The Times at his home Tuesday, a day after his longtime opposition group signed a power-sharing agreement with Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party. The issue of prosecutions over political violence and killings is so contentious that it was left out of the deal negotiations.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Zimbabweans lined up for hours to vote Wednesday in an election that international critics say has no hope of being free or fair. President Robert Mugabe, the country's only leader in its 33-year history since independence from Britain, dismissed fears the country could once again be headed for a disputed result. “I'm sure that people will vote freely and fairly. There's no pressure being exerted on anyone," the 89-year-old Mugabe told reporters after casting his vote.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Five years after bitterly disputed elections, Zimbabwe faced a new political conflict Thursday as President Robert Mugabe called elections for July 31 and his rival swiftly rejected the date. The rival, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, told journalists he would not let Zimbabwe be rushed into "another illegitimate election. " Mugabe issued a presidential decree Thursday setting the date, ignoring the opposition of Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change, which says it would be impossible to hold free and fair elections by then.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - Zimbabweans voted Wednesday in an election that international critics say has no hope of being free or fair. President Robert Mugabe, the country's only leader in its 33-year history since independence from Britain, dismissed the fear that the country could once again be headed for a disputed result. "I'm sure that people will vote freely and fairly. There's no pressure being exerted on anyone," the 89-year-old Mugabe told reporters after casting his vote.

Zimbabweans on Saturday celebrated their first Independence Day under a coalition government, with President Robert Mugabe calling for national reconciliation as he shared the stage with his former political rival. As on previous anniversaries, the military paraded and fighter planes flew over a stadium in Harare, the capital. But this year's proceedings were "indeed unique," Mugabe told the crowd of about 40,000, "giving us the opportunity to celebrate as one family."

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Five years after bitterly disputed elections, Zimbabwe faced a new political conflict Thursday as President Robert Mugabe called elections for July 31 and his rival swiftly rejected the date. The rival, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, told journalists he would not let Zimbabwe be rushed into "another illegitimate election. " Mugabe issued a presidential decree Thursday setting the date, ignoring the opposition of Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change, which says it would be impossible to hold free and fair elections by then.

The European Union said it would not remove sanctions targeting longtime Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his loyalists or resume development aid until more is done to implement a year-old power-sharing agreement and restore human rights. Winding up the first visit by a high-level EU delegation since 2002, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Karel de Gucht said sharp differences remained between Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the former opposition leader, over their coalition agreement signed Sept.

Zimbabweans on Saturday celebrated their first Independence Day under a coalition government, with President Robert Mugabe calling for national reconciliation as he shared the stage with his former political rival. As on previous anniversaries, the military paraded and fighter planes flew over a stadium in Harare, the capital. But this year's proceedings were "indeed unique," Mugabe told the crowd of about 40,000, "giving us the opportunity to celebrate as one family."

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's 4-year-old grandson has drowned less than a month after the Zimbabwean leader's wife was killed in a car crash, his spokesman said Sunday. Tsvangirai rushed home from Victoria Falls, on the border with Zambia, where he had been taking part in a planning conference for ministers in the unity government, spokesman James Maridadi said. The child, Shaun, drowned Saturday in the swimming pool at the prime minister's home, Maridadi said.

Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday sought to quash speculation among his supporters and others that a car accident that injured him and killed his wife was an assassination attempt. "In this case I want to say there is no foul play. It was an accident that unfortunately took away her life," he said, addressing supporters outside his home in Harare, the capital. Many opponents of President Robert Mugabe have been killed in suspicious car crashes.